Computer-implemented system and methods for distributing content pursuant to audit-based processes

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are disclosed for distributing content pursuant to audit-based processes. Audit content in runtime workpapers may be dynamically constructed in response to industry-driven and response-driven rules using information from one or more of the distributed content libraries. Dynamic updates may also be provided for generated runtime workpapers constructed from the distributed content. The system and method may also provide drilldown functionality for enabling a user to view a source workpaper for a specified data value which has flowed into the generated dynamic workpaper and/or tip functionality to provide a user with additional guidance based on the status and data associated with the generated workpaper.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/368,214, filed on Jul. 27, 2010, entitled “Computer-ImplementedSystem And Methods For Distributing Content Pursuant To Audit-BasedProcesses,” by Glen Alfredson, et al., which is hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to computer-based systems, methods andapparatuses for providing dynamic content distribution pursuant to oneor more rules and/or conditions. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to computer-based systems, methods and apparatuses forproviding dynamic content distribution pursuant to audit-basedprocesses.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

An important objective of an audit is to assert a reliable opinionregarding the material accuracy of an entity's financial statements;thus, the role of an auditor is to provide a reasonable level ofsubstantiation for that opinion. But reviewing every accountingoperation of a company would be unrealistically time consuming.Similarly, reviewing a company's accounting operation cursorily wouldnot yield a sufficient level of substantiation. Therefore, a trend inthe accounting industry is toward risk-based auditing—determining theappropriate target areas and levels of substantive testing to beperformed. Risk-based auditing typically involves asking questions todetermine where potential risks may be located to inform the auditorabout those areas where substantive testing may be preferred (e.g.,taking a random sampling of transactions to see whether the aggregate ofa random sampling matches up with the claim totals on a pro rata basis).To facilitate risk-based auditing, numerous methods, systems andcomputer-implemented programs have been developed.

For example, ProSystem fx Knowledge Tools™ (“Knowledge Tools”) wasreleased by CCH, a Wolters Kluwer company, in April 2007 to helpaccounting firms comply with the American Institute of CPA's (“AICPA”)most recent Risk Assessment Standards. The Risk Assessment Standardswere released in the first half of 2008, when the AICPA's Audit andAttest Team staff issued Twelve new Technical Practice Aids (“TPAs”) toassist auditors in implementing Statements of Auditing Standards 104-111(more commonly known as the “Risk Assessment Standards”). These TPAs,which are non-authoritative, AICPA staff technical questions andanswers, were developed in response to common questions received fromAICPA members. For further information on the Risk Assessment Standards,see the AICPA's Web site.

Knowledge Tools was built upon the foundation provided by a softwaresystem for paperless workflow solutions, CCH's ProSystem fx® Engagement™(“ProSystem Engagement”), as well as Microsoft® Office™, to combineadvances in technology and audit methodology. Knowledge Tools combinestechnology with Knowledge-Based Audit (“KBA”) methodology to give a useran integrated set of procedures from pre-engagement through evaluation,conclusion and reportage. It provides a strong framework to help theuser manage industry-specific auditing standards and ensures thatimportant information is not overlooked or hidden in the details ofnumerous checklists and forms.

The KBA methodology within Knowledge Tools and the new ProSystem fxKnowledge Coach provides an easy-to-use, tailored audit process that (i)enhances communication between team members and allows for the ongoingevaluation of procedures; (ii) enables audit team members to viewsummaries of the risks and findings via the communications hub duringeach stage of an audit; (iii) ensures consistency and standardizationacross all published documents; and (iv) incorporates work-flow featuresof ProSystem Engagement, including, for example, binder sharing andsynchronization, integrated audit programs, checklists, reports andmore. For further information on Knowledge Tools, available from CCH.

Despite the numerous benefits of Knowledge Tools, it would be highlyadvantageous to shift from a static audit content (e.g., content notassociated with rules such as the content type currently employed inKnowledge Tools workpapers) to a dynamic system that allows a user todynamically update documents based on, for example, modified data,rules, conditions, etc. Therefore, there is a need for a versatilesystem, method and/or apparatus that would enable the use of content toefficiently generate dynamic workpapers, reports and other documents.Such a system may be integrated with existing auditing tools—including,for example, Knowledge Tools—or used independently. Similarly, a systemshould be developed so that it could be applied to any system wheredynamic content may be advantageous.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments are disclosed herein for computer-based systems,methods and apparatuses for providing content distribution pursuant toone or more sets of rules, including, for example, auditing processes.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, acomputer-implemented method for distributing content pursuant to anaudit-based process, comprises: receiving annotated documents containingindustry-specific content authored by experts in the field ofaudit-based processes; decomposing the annotated documents intoindividual content elements for inclusion in a content library database;distributing related collections of said content elements via contentpackages; merging said content elements into an end user's contentlibrary database; and using a computer to generate a dynamic workpaperfrom the individual content elements in the content library database, inaccordance with at least one predetermined rule, wherein the generatedworkpaper is also dynamically updated in response to (i) changes touser-supplied data or (ii) receipt of subsequent versions of theassociated content elements.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a computer systemfor distributing content pursuant to an audit-based process, comprises:a memory; a communication device operatively coupled to the memory toreceive annotated documents containing industry-specific contentauthored by experts in the field of audit-based processes; and at leastone processor, operatively coupled to the communications device fordecomposing the annotated documents into individual content elements forinclusion in a content library database, distributing relatedcollections of said content elements via content packages, and mergingsaid content elements into an end user's content library database,wherein the at least one processor generate a dynamic workpaper from theindividual content elements in the content library database, inaccordance with at least one predetermined rule, wherein the generatedworkpaper is also dynamically updated in response to (i) changes touser-supplied data or (ii) receipt of subsequent versions of theassociated content elements.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer networkfor distributing content pursuant to an audit-based process comprises: amemory; a communication device operatively coupled to the memory toreceive annotated documents containing industry-specific contentauthored by experts in the field of audit-based processes; and at leastone processor, operatively coupled to the communications device fordecomposing the annotated documents into individual content elements forinclusion in a content library database, distributing relatedcollections of said content elements via content packages, and mergingsaid content elements into an end user's content library database,wherein the at least one processor generates a dynamic workpaper fromthe individual content elements in the content library database, inaccordance with at least one predetermined rule, wherein the generatedworkpaper is also dynamically updated in response to (i) changes touser-supplied data or (ii) receipt of subsequent versions of theassociated content elements.

In certain aspects, the generated dynamic workpaper may comprise: (i)text; (ii) a chart; (iii) a table; (iv) a graphic image; or (v)combinations thereof. The generated dynamic workpaper may be dynamicallyupdated to reflect new or amended predetermined rules.

In other aspects, the system and/or method may pose questions to a userwherein the user provides answers that are used generate the generateddynamic workpaper.

In another aspect, edits made to a generated workpaper may be used todynamically update other sections of the generated workpaper.

In yet another aspect, the generated dynamic workpaper may provide (i)drilldown functionality for enabling a user to view a source workpaperfor a specified data value that has flowed into the generated dynamicworkpaper and/or (ii) tip functionality to provide a user withadditional guidance based on the status and data associated with thegenerated workpaper. The tip functionality may be triggered by, forexample, selecting an icon embedded within the generated workpaper toprovide information related to one or more topics chosen from a groupconsisting of: (i) practice points; (ii) related workpapers; (iii)resources; (iv) examples; (v) user assistance; and (vi) combinationsthereof.

In yet another aspect, the generated workpaper may include functionalityenabling a user to access a web-based research system by selecting ahyperlink embedded within the generated workpaper or the related tips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example,and not by limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, inwhich like references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary, processor-based systemenabled to carry out risk-based auditing processes;

FIG. 2 is a table illustrating various elements of the Knowledge Coachsystem;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary life cycle for a KBA documentaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between various elementsof the Knowledge Coach system;

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating exemplary elements for a KBA contentlibrary;

FIG. 6 a is an exemplary block diagram illustrating exemplarypresentation content elements within a KBA content library;

FIG. 6 b illustrates a diagram of an exemplary workpaper skeletonenabled to receive formatted text, tables and/or other content and datavia templates;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary relationship between workpaper skeletonsand workpaper definitions within a content library and binder workpaperswithin a binder;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary data reference object model;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary dynamic tailoring process;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary system for interfacing a KBA contentlibrary to program step recommendations;

FIGS. 11 a-11 c illustrate a block diagram illustrating an exemplarysystem enabled for customization of lists;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary drilling-down process;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary document management system enabled foruse with Knowledge Coach;

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary Knowledge Coach system architecture;

FIGS. 15 a through 15 d are block diagrams illustrating KnowledgeCoach's ability to interface with tips and web-based research systems;and

FIGS. 16-17 illustrates a system for continually updating contentdelivered via Knowledge Coach and viewing information about thoseupdates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described herein with reference to one or moreexemplary embodiments; however, it should be understood that the presentinvention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that other arrangements, formulations and elements canbe used instead and that some elements may be omitted altogether. In thefollowing description, well-known functions or constructions may not bedescribed extensively because they would obscure the invention inunnecessary detail.

Under an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented process isdesigned to dynamically distribute content pursuant to audit-basedprocesses, herein referred to as ProSystem fx Knowledge Coach™ system(or “Knowledge Coach”). Knowledge Coach, an addition to the CCHProSystem fx Suite, provides features and requirements not in the scopeof the Knowledge Tools system, including, for example, dynamic contentdistribution.

Knowledge Coach streamlines audit planning and management, thus ensuringcompliance with the AICPA Risk Assessment Standards, while allowingauditors to dynamically make updates throughout the audit. UsingKnowledge Coach, auditors can update data (e.g., answers to questions)on the fly during the engagement, and all of these changes will bedynamically distributed within and throughout the dynamic workpapers toall of the necessary places (e.g., any place impacted by an update). Onenotable feature is that the Knowledge Coach system may be fully operatedfrom within a paperless document management system—including, forexample, ProSystem Engagement—which can handle the organization, rightsmanagement and version control for all workpaper documents. KnowledgeCoach may also be enabled to automatically (e.g., via predeterminedrules) flag program steps that may not be applicable and/or areredundant, thereby allowing the auditor to omit them if desired.

Automatic entries may include features such as drill-down functionality,thus allowing the user to trace the data back to its source to providetransparency. The drill-down functionality may also provide the userwith the option to view the workpaper in which the data was entered.

The Knowledge Coach system may also integrate built-in links thatprovide up-to-date research content. In some instances, the built-inlinks may redirect the user to a third-party system wherein log-oncredentials may be necessary. The various features of the KnowledgeCoach system will now be described in greater detail. For thisapplication the following terms and definitions shall apply:

The terms “communicate” and “communicating” as used herein include bothconveying data from a source to a destination and delivering data to acommunications medium, system, channel, network, device, wire, cable,fiber, circuit and/or link to be conveyed to a destination. The term“communication” as used herein means data so conveyed or delivered. Theterm “communications” as used herein includes one or more of acommunications medium, system, channel, network, device, wire, cable,fiber, circuit and link.

The terms “coupled,” “coupled to” and “coupled with” as used herein eachmean a relationship between or among two or more devices, apparatuses,files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes, programs,media, components, networks, systems, subsystems and/or means,constituting any one or more of (a) a connection, whether direct orthrough one or more other devices, apparatuses, files, circuits,elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components,networks, systems, subsystems or means, (b) a communicationsrelationship, whether direct or through one or more other devices,apparatuses, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations,processes, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems ormeans, and/or (c) a functional relationship in which the operation ofany one or more devices, apparatuses, files, circuits, elements,functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components, networks,systems, subsystems or means depends, in whole or in part, on theoperation of any one or more others thereof.

The term “data” as used herein means any indicia, signals, marks,symbols, domains, symbol sets, representations and any other physicalform or forms representing information, whether permanent or temporary,whether visible, audible, acoustic, electric, magnetic, electromagneticor otherwise manifested. The term “data,” as used to representpredetermined information in one physical form, encompasses any and allrepresentations of corresponding information in a different physicalform or forms.

The term “database” as used herein means an organized body of relateddata, regardless of the manner in which the data or the organized bodythereof is represented. For example, the organized body of related datamay be in the form of one or more of a table, a map, a grid, a packet, adatagram, a frame, a file, an e-mail, a message, a document, a report ora list or in any other form.

The term “network” as used herein includes both networks andinter-networks of all kinds, including the Internet, and is not limitedto any particular network or inter-network.

The term “processor” as used herein means processing devices,apparatuses, programs, circuits, components, systems and subsystems,whether implemented in hardware, tangibly embodied software or both, andwhether or not programmable. The term “processor” as used hereinincludes, but is not limited to, one or more computing devices,hardwired circuits, signal modifying devices and systems, devices andmachines for controlling systems, central processing units, programmabledevices and systems, field-programmable gate arrays,application-specific integrated circuits, systems on a chip, systemscomprising discrete elements and/or circuits, state machines, virtualmachines, data processors, processing facilities and combinations of anyof the foregoing.

The term “computer” as used herein means a device, or collection ofdevices, having a processor and enabled to perform one or moreprescribed mathematical and/or logical operations.

The terms “workpaper” and “workpapers” as used herein mean documentsprepared or obtained by an auditor in performing an examination of aclient's financial records. Included in the workpapers are, for example,questionnaires, forms, schedules, analyses, transcriptions, memos andconfirmation results related to balance sheet and income statementitems. The workpapers serve as the basis of the work performed andsupport the auditor's opinion.

The term “binder” as used herein means a collection of relatedworkpapers.

The term “KBA content integrator” as used herein refers to the peoplewho execute the step in the workflow through which source documents withannotations are decomposed into content elements within the “KBA contentintegration environment.”

The term “KBA content integration environment” as used herein refers tothe decomposed content elements and associated software to edit thosecontent elements before they are published into “KBA content package.”Multiple “KBA content titles” are maintained within the KBA,content-integration environment.

The term “KBA content title” as used herein refers to a relatedcollection of content elements that are published together within a “KBAcontent package,” administered together within a “KBA content library,”and used together within the run-time software system.

The term “KBA content package” as used herein refers to the published,portable container of the content elements in a single “KBA contenttitle,” downloaded by content administrations into a “KBA contentlibrary.”

The term “KBA content library” as used herein refers to a relatedcollection “KBA content titles” in a database that is used by therun-time software system.

The term “knowledge content elements” as used herein refers totext-based intellectual property, for example, unformatted text,formatted text, keywords, lists, questions, and a variety of text-basedelements specific to audit processes.

The term “presentation content elements” as used herein refers to visualcontainers and the building blocks within those visual containers, asused for example to present knowledge content elements and userresponses to the users.

The term “rules” as used herein refers to the logic that is applied toknowledge content elements, presentation content elements, anduser-supplied data.

The term “data reference object model (DROM)” as used herein refers toobjects and properties through which logical design elements (contentelements and user data) are referenced by other logical design elements.

The term “data reference expressions” as used herein refers to DROMexpressions which are associated with other logical design elements—suchas conditional expressions in rules—and which are evaluated at run timeinto values or sets of values.

The term “data reference bindings” as used herein refers to DROMexpressions which bind elements in the DROM to other logical designelements—particularly presentation elements such as tables, table rows,and table cells—and which are resolved at run time into objects, objectcollections, value, or value collections.

The term “data reference editors” as used herein refers to the userinterface through which users identify data reference expressions anddata reference bindings.

The term “data reference engine” as used herein refers to the run-timeengines for data reference expressions and data reference bindings.

Knowledge Coach provides numerous advantages over previous tools—such asKnowledge Tools, including, for example—a central paradigm shift fromthe “static” audit content of Knowledge Tools workpapers to the“dynamic” audit content of Knowledge Coach workpapers. Specifically, inKnowledge Tools, the audit content is distributed as richly populatedand largely non-customizable word processor or spreadsheet templates(e.g., Microsoft® Word and Excel® templates), whereas in KnowledgeCoach, the audit workpapers may be constructed and dynamically tailoredin response to industry-driven and response-driven rules usinginformation from a centrally managed content library. An exemplarysystem may be generally described as comprising (i) Knowledge Tools(e.g., tagged KBA templates and/or “static” KBA workpapers); and (ii)Knowledge Coach (e.g., CCH-authored KBA content library and/or “dynamic”KBA workpapers). FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary processor-based system 108that may include one or more memory devices 126 capable of carrying outthe present invention. The system 108 may be any of a variety of devicessuch as a computer system, computer, pager, cellular phone, personalorganizer, control circuit, etc. In a typical processor-based system,one or more processors 122, such as a microprocessor, control theprocessing of system functions and requests in the system 108. Incertain embodiments, various existing processor-based devices may bemodified merely by software and/or minor hardware changes to carry outthe present disclosure. The system 108 typically includes a power supply124. For instance, if the system 108 is a portable system, the powersupply 124 may advantageously include a fuel cell, permanent batteries,replaceable batteries, and/or rechargeable batteries. The power supply124 may also include an AC adapter, so the system 108 may be pluggedinto a wall outlet, for instance. The power supply 124 may also includea DC adapter such that the system 108 may be plugged into a vehiclecigarette lighter, as another example.

Various other devices may be coupled to the processor 122 depending onthe functions that the system 108 performs. To illustrate, a userinterface 130 may be coupled to the processor 122. The user interface130 may include buttons, switches, a keyboard, a light pen, a mouse, adigitizer and stylus, and/or a voice recognition system, for instance. Adisplay 110 may also be coupled to the processor 122. The display 110may include an LCD, an SED display, a CRT display, a DLP display, aplasma display, an OLED display, and/or LED display, for example. One ormore communication ports 114 may also be coupled to the processor 122.The communication port 114 may be adapted to be coupled, wired orwirelessly, to one or more peripheral devices 116. The one or moreperipheral devices 116 may include, for example, a modem, printer,computer or other auxiliary device. In certain embodiments, thecommunication port 114 may be enabled for communication, wired orwirelessly, with a communication network 118, such as a local areanetwork, remote area network, intranet or the Internet, for instance.

The communication network 118 may be coupled to a data center 120capable of providing and/or integrating data from multiple sources andfor standardizing the data to make processing and management of theinformation more efficient. The processor 122 generally controls thesystem 108 by implementing software programs stored in the memory. Thememory is operably coupled to the processor 122 to store and facilitateexecution of various programs. For instance, the processor 122 may becoupled to the volatile memory 128 which may include Dynamic RandomAccess Memory (“DRAM”) and/or Static Random Access Memory (“SRAM”). Thevolatile memory 128 is typically large so that it can store dynamicallyloaded applications and data. As described further below, the volatilememory 128 may be configured in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

The processor 122 may also be coupled to a memory device 126. The memorydevice 126 may include a Read-Only Memory (“ROM”), such as ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (“EPROM”), and/or flash memory to be usedin conjunction with the volatile memory 128. Similarly, depending on thesystem configuration, memory device 126 may spread data across one ormore servers. The size of the ROM is typically selected to be just largeenough to store any necessary operating system, application programs andfixed data. Additionally, the non-volatile memory may include ahigh-capacity memory such as a tape or disk drive memory. In anembodiment of the invention, the memory device 126 may include aseparate data center used to store data that is generally used on a lessfrequent basis. The memory device 126 and volatile memory 128 may storevarious types of software, such as an operating system, Knowledge Coach,an office productivity suite including a word processing application, aspreadsheet application, an email application and/or a databaseapplication.

As exemplified in FIG. 2, Knowledge Coach generally employs contentlibraries 202, a content integration environment 204, a distributionsystem and/or apparatus 206, system administration functionality 208 andrun-time functionality 210.

The content libraries 202 generally comprise four types of contentelements: (i) knowledge elements (e.g., lists, questions, paragraphs,workflow steps, keywords, hyperlinks, contextual guidance businessobjects, etc.); (ii) presentation elements (e.g., skeleton files,templates, placeholders, etc.); (iii) rules elements (e.g., diagnostics,flows, auto-add/delete, show/hide, enable/disable, etc.); and (iv) datareference object models, which may be customizable, domain-specific,leveraged by all content types.

The content integration environment 204, which may be a generic systemcapable of being configured to process and handle any type of content,generally comprises at least four functions: (i) to edit (e.g., remotecollaborative editing (check-out/check-in), familiar tools (XML editor,word processor and/or spreadsheet templates such as Microsoft® Word andExcel®), or extension to any front-end software or device); (ii) tovalidate (e.g., enabled to identify and resolve issues upstream (i.e.,before runtime)); (iii) to build (e.g., raw content transformed andextensible to any distributable format); and (iv) to test (e.g.,available immediately in runtime environment).

The content distribution 206 component, which may be accomplished via acloud (e.g., network hosting), generally comprises at least two generalfunctions: (i) to publish (e.g., publishers send content “packages” tothe cloud); and (ii) to provide purchase/download capability (e.g.,customers may purchase licenses and/or download content to localenvironment).

The content administration 208 portion, on the user side, generallycomprises at least two functions: (i) to review/customize (e.g., contentadministrators prepare for deployment to end users); and (ii) toapprove/synchronize (e.g., approved content may be synchronizedseamlessly).

Finally, the content run-time 210 portion generally comprises at leastthree functions: (i) to construct (e.g., dynamic binding to constructrun-time instance based on content: (a) knowledge, (b) rules, (c)presentation and User Data such as responses, linked data, etc.); (ii)to refresh (e.g., dynamically update to refresh run-time instances basedon content (approved changes released by content administrator) and userdata (modifications trigger rules and data flows)); and (iii) to supportworkflow (e.g., dynamically update summary documents and rule-baseddiagnostics).

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary lifecycle for a KBA document, from the timeannotated documents 304 are received from an author 302 to the pointdynamic workpapers 338 are generated by end users 344. In operation, thesystem 300 may receive annotated documents 304 containingindustry-specific content, such as tailoring questions and auditprocedures, from authors and/or editors 302. Content integrators 310 maythen extract information from these annotated documents 304 anddecompose that information into content elements comprising knowledgeelements 314 a, presentation elements 316 a and rules elements 318 a,through the use of, for instance, a computer 306 having word processors,spreadsheet programs and/or other types of editing tools 308. Within theKBA content integration environment 312, these elements reference eachother through data reference expressions 320 a, which are bound throughdata reference bindings 322 a to the data reference object model 324 a.Together, all those components comprise a KBA content title which may bebundled into a KBA content package 330, which may be published throughthe publishing workflow 326 via network 324. Packages are subsequentlydownloaded and reconstituted into a KBA content library 336, which maybe synchronized through a network 334 via administration workflow 332 tothe workstation of the end user 344, who uses the KBA content library336 in conjunction with, for instance, work processors, spreadsheetprograms and other subsystems to construct dynamic workpapers 338. KBAcontent library 336 complies a workpaper from the content elementscomprising knowledge elements 314 b, presentation elements 316 b andrules elements 318 b, through the use of, for instance, a computer 340having word processors, spreadsheet programs and/or other types ofediting tools 342. These elements reference each other through datareference expressions 320 b, which are bound through data referencebindings 322 b to the data reference object model 324 b.

FIG. 4 depicts the rule-driven construction of a Knowledge Coachworkpaper 408. In essence, the generated workpaper 408 is dynamicallyconstructed and refreshed using data and rules from multiplecontributors, such as content elements from a KBA content library 416,which may include knowledge elements 402, presentation elements 404 andrules elements 406, along with binder data 410, such as physicalworkpapers 414 and/or user data 412. The resulting Knowledge Coachworkpapers 408 are dynamically generated and subsequently updated wheninputs change. FIG. 5 provides exemplary data content while describingthe KBA content library 416 and binder data 410 in greater detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, with regard to knowledge data 502, KBA contentlibraries 510 may contain a collection of content elements, organized bytitles and title versions that are downloaded from a server. Thesecontent objects generally represent the knowledge that may be deliveredvia Knowledge Coach. For instance, knowledge 502 may include, forexample, program steps, unformatted text, formatted text, keywords,domain-specific content (e.g., audit areas, risks, program steps,program sub-steps, etc.), questions (including, for example, tailoringquestions to determine relevance via rules and domain questions tocapture domain-specific data), lists, external URLs and contextual tips.As described herein, unformatted text may be used to describe text thatdynamically replaces text placeholders and keywords at run time andinherits style of run-time content while formatted text is text that maydynamically replace text placeholders at run time where style overridescontext. For example, external URLs may provide contextual links toauthoritative content such as, Accounting Research Manager® andIntelliConnect®, whereas contextual tips may be provide contextual linksto industry-specific guidance via HTML panes.

With regard to presentation 504, a table template may be created inKnowledge Coach where the physical layout and display properties of thetable are configured by a content builder prior to publication.Presentation 504 elements may generally comprise, for example, askeleton document that contains layout and/or literal text withplaceholders for presentation elements; placeholders (e.g., a reservedlocation within a workpaper skeleton, resolved to display content and/ordata at run time); a document definition, which may be defined at designtime and can provide binding instructions to replace placeholders at runtime; table template(s); and styles.

As mentioned, Knowledge Coach is rule-driven, thus, the rules 506dictate the treatment of various KBA content objects and when and wherethey are used during the run-time application. For example, programsteps may be recommended (or not recommended) based on data-drivenrules. There may be a number of other rules, including, for example,show/hide rules that control visibility of content based onuser-supplied answers; diagnostic rules to control presence ofdiagnostic warnings based on user-supplied answers; data flow rules tocontrol flow of user-supplied answers and calculated data within userdata storage; drill-down rules to control drill-down behavior betweenfields; and “roll forward” rules to control preservation/resetting ofuser data. From the perspective of the user, the information that feedsthese rules may come from a variety of sources, including, for example,(i) industry; (ii) audit area; (iii) risk assessments; (iv) plannedaudit approach; (v) assertions which the program step addresses; (vi)answers to tailoring questions, either in the same generated workpaperor in other generated workpapers; and (vii) recommendation status of“parent” steps (applicable only to sub-steps).

Finally, user data 508 may be extracted from the binder datastore 512and used to populate the fields of the generated workpaper. For example,user data 508 may include (i) user-supplied answers to questions; (ii)user-selected program steps; (iii) user-supplied text customizations;(iv) user-selected risks; and/or (v) user-supplied comments.

A notable advantage of the Knowledge Coach system structure is theseparation of “user data” from “presentation” within workpapers. Thispermits dynamic rules to be run against the “user data,” yet that datais still made visible through the presentation format and/or structure,which may be generated from content elements in the content library. Thetable templates may reflect the specified layout and appearance of thetables and/or workpapers that will be required by end users—generallythe same layout and appearance found in the original annotated documentssupplied by the original authors and editors.

When utilizing a system where data is separate from presentation, eitherthe table template or the table definition may identify the necessarydata (drawn from the content library or the binder datastore) through,for example, data reference binding. At run time, the data may beretrieved and placed into tables/rows/cells in a Knowledge Coach table.When the data changes, due to editing, rules, etc., the table may bedynamically refreshed to reflect those changes. The refreshing mayoccur, for example, in real time, upon opening the document and/or uponselecting a refresh button. Elements used to achieve the separation ofdata and presentation and to achieve dynamic rendering are templates,skeletons, definitions and instances. Skeletons, which are typicallyreusable and extensible, may be, for example, Word and Excel® documentswith placeholders for dynamic content.

An exemplary configuration system where data is separate frompresentation is detailed in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b. The content library 600typically includes workpaper skeletons 602, workpaper definitions 612and content templates 622. The framework provided by the workpaperskeleton 602 may be used to create a workpaper definition 612. Theworkpaper definition 612 may be combined with content templates 622,resulting in a workpaper instance when the user finally uses it in anaudit binder. The workpaper skeleton 602 may contain, for example,placeholders for tables 604, questions 606, program steps 608 and othercontent 610. Similarly, workpaper definitions 612 may containinformation defining how to resolve the placeholders via tabledefinitions 614, question definitions 616, program step definitions 618and other content definitions 620. Those definitions leverage contenttemplates 622, for example, table templates 624, question templates 626,program step templates 628 and other content templates 630.

FIG. 6 b illustrates an exemplary workpaper skeleton 602 enabled toreceive formatted text, tables and/or other data templates. Theworkpaper skeleton 602 may include one or more sections of literal text630 a, 630 b, 630 c, 630 d along with one or more placeholders 632 a,632 b, 632 c. The literal text may include any text outside of theplaceholders including, for example, form verbiage. For verbiage may beused to described boilerplate text that would be the same for multipleworkpapers. Placeholders 632 a, 632 b, 632 c could be used to reserve aspace before, after, or within the literal text 630 a, 630 b, 630 c, 630d. For instance, if a user wishes to set up a workpaper skeleton 602with a table inserted between literal text 630 a and literal text 630 b,a placeholder 632 a may be inserted and configured to include and/orspecify a table template 634 chosen from one or more templates (e.g.,specific risks, tailoring questions, 6-column program steps, etc.).Similarly, placeholder 632 b may be configured to receive formatted textusing a formatted text template 636 or another template 638.

FIG. 7 illustrates the process by which workpaper skeletons 704 are usedas the basis for workpaper definitions 706 within the KBA contentlibrary 700. In fact, the KBA content library 700 may contain multipleworkpaper skeletons 704 a, 704 b, 704 c, each of which may be used asthe basis for one or more workpaper definitions 706 a, 706 b, 706 c.Each workpaper definition may then be used to generate one or morebinder workpaper instances 708 a, 708 b grouped into binders 710 a, 710b.

The data reference object model (“DROM”) consists of objects andproperties through which content elements and user data are “bound” tothe presentation layer in Knowledge Coach. For example, the DROM is usedin data reference expressions to bind rules to the underlying data andin table definitions to bind cells to the underlying user data. Anexemplar of a DROM is excerpted in FIG. 8. User data 804 may be coupledwith the KC data reference object model 802 that contains a number ofobjects, such as Binder objects 810, Audit Area objects 816, AuditProgram objects 822 and Program Step Section objects 828. One of theproperties of a Binder object 810 is AuditAreas 812, a collection ofAuditArea objects 814. Meanwhile, one of the properties of an AuditAreaobject 816 is Audit Programs 818, a collection of AuditProgram objects820. Audit Program 822 contains a number of underlying Step Section 824,826 while Program Step Section 828 may contain Program Steps 830, 832.Other objects 834 and other properties may be defined as needed tosupport the necessary user data.

An exemplary dynamic tailoring process 900 is detailed in FIG. 9. Oncethe workpapers are in a binder and are being used in run time, theKnowledge Coach workpapers are dynamically tailored based on rules andany data changes and/or additions. The workpapers follow extensiverefresh logic to ensure that the workpapers reflect the most recent dataand/or changes. For example, in workpaper A 904, if the user changes theanswer to one question 908 from “Unanswered” at 910 a to “No” at 910 b,through data reference binding techniques the new answer immediatelyflows into the “volatile” (unsaved) logical binder datastore 902. Thechange to the data can trigger one or more rules, such as, for example(i) a rule for the visibility of another question (e.g., Question B 916a, 916 b) within workpaper A 904, 918 a, 918 b; and (ii) a rule for aprogram step in workpaper B 906 (e.g., as illustrated in the workpapers920 a, 920 b, rather than X being displayed, Y is displayed 914 a, 914b). The one or more rules may be implemented via rules engine 912. Sinceworkpaper A is the active workpaper, it is automatically and immediatelyrefreshed. However, for this example, workpaper B 906 is not an activeworkpaper, thus it may not refresh unless there is (i) an automaticrequired trigger (such as opening the workpaper if it is currentlyclosed); (ii) an automatic optional trigger; and (iii) a manual trigger(clicking on the “Refresh” button).

For instance, if a user is asked to input data, the output may bedependent upon the type of inputted data: output A would be produced ifa certain data field reads “True,” but output B would be produced if thesame data field reads “False.” The same methodology could be applied toinstances where a particular threshold must be met in order to yield aparticular output. For instance, a certain text field may beinapplicable if the value of a certain data field is less than X. Thus,Knowledge Coach would keep the text field hidden until the value of thedata field has met or exceeded X.

The complexity of interrelationships between rules, content elements anduser data can be minimized by decoupling the original source of the datafrom the accessing of that data by the data-driven rules. Referring nowto FIG. 10, an exemplary system for interfacing a KBA content library1002 with program step recommendations 1040 via a rules engine 1018 anda data reference engine 1012 is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 10, ratherthan the program steps relating directly to the tailoring questions, therelationship is indirect: (i) program steps 1008 (KBA content library1002) and conditions 1010 are associated with program steprecommendation rules 1006; (ii) program step recommendation rules 1006(KBA content library 1002) are processed by rules engine 1018; (iii)rules engine 1-18 requests evaluation of expressions by data referenceengine 1012; (iv) current value 1022 is returned by data referenceengine 1012 to rules engine 1018, which may be checked for relevancy atstep 1020; (v) those same expressions are also associated with datachange notification rules 1026, which have conditions 1028 and are boundto data references 1024 through the data reference binding engine 1016and expression engine 1014; (vi) the result of the rule engine is a“Yes” 1034 or “No” 1036 state for whether a particular program step isrecommended, which in turn determines whether or not that program stepbelongs to the program step's recommended 1040 collection in the userdata 1038.

The system disclosed herein further provides for a customization oflists, as demonstrated by FIGS. 11 a-11 c. Inside the KBA contentlibrary 1102, one type of knowledge element is lists 1104, which areassociated, for instance, with questions 1110 a, table templates 1110 band/or other factors 1110 c. Lists 1106 may be published by a KBA systemprovider, but these lists may be also customized by users into customlists as either firm-level customized lists 1108 or binder-levelcustomized lists 1116 within user data 1112. The lists appear in theuser interface 1122 to be used (Use of Lists in UI 1124) or to becustomized (Customization of Lists in UI 1126).

The disclosed system also provides the ability to “drill down.” The term“drill down” may be defined as the ability to bring focus to the sourceof the information displayed by clicking an icon or other indicator(e.g., a triangle). As an example, from a target cell, a user can clicka triangle (e.g., using GUI) to bring focus (e.g., obtain the documentdetails or view the actual source) to the source cell that populated thetarget cell. The system may achieve this function through dynamicrun-time evaluation of drill-down properties that may be establishedwhen table templates are tagged, and through those drill-downproperties, determine the appropriate target(s). As detailed in FIG. 12,after system start-up 1202 (e.g., launching Knowledge Coach), promptingthe drill-down function at step 1204 (e.g., selecting the icon totrigger a drill-down operation) will typically yield one of threepossible outcomes regarding the number of target candidates that areidentified by the system. The first outcome is a case where there arezero target candidates (e.g., source documents). When the system findsno target candidates at step 1206, the system cannot drill down.Depending on the design-specific scenario, this might result in noaction being taken, might result in a message box at 1220 (e.g., tonotify the user that there are no candidates), or might result in someother action (e.g., the instance being recorded to a file).Alternatively, exactly one target candidate may be returned at step1208. In a case where the system finds exactly one target candidate,that one target candidate would be the automatic “winner.” Depending onthe design-specific scenario, the Knowledge Coach system will eithernavigate directly to the winner target candidate at step 1214 (e.g.,this may occur if the winner target candidate is within the sameworksheet) and/or issue a warning (e.g., if the winner target candidateworkpaper is not currently open, or is part of a different worksheet).Finally, more than one target candidate may be returned at step 1208.When the system finds more than one target candidate, a dialog box maybe presented to the user at step 1210 that permits the user to chooseone or more candidates or to cancel the operation at step 1216. If theuser selects a candidate at step 1212, the candidate may be displayed atstep 1214.

With regard to binder datastores, Content and user-input values may bestored for each binder separately in the binder datastore, whichpreferably has three logical partitions: “persistent” (or saved),“volatile” (or unsaved) and “delta” (changes since the last refresh frompersistent to volatile or since the last “save” from volatile topersistent). The diagram of FIG. 13 depicts how user-made changes flowacross these three partitions within the context of a documentmanagement system. An exemplary document management system that may beused in conjunction with the present invent includes, for example,ProSystem Engagement. As illustrated in FIG. 13, changes may pass thoughthe volatile datastore, move through the delta datastore, and finally becommitted to the persistent datastore. The way this data is storedfacilitates the sharing of binder content among multiple users who areworking on an Engagement binder together.

Additional guidance, beyond the content provided in the actual KnowledgeCoach workpaper body, may be delivered via tip functionality, which mayaddress a number of topics such as practice points, related workpapers,resources, examples, tips for using Knowledge Coach, etc. Tips areanother form of knowledge content managed within the content library andmay be distributed in content packages. As shown in FIGS. 15 a and 15 b,tip functionality may provide the user with additional guidance, in theform of tips, based on the context of the current selection within aworkpaper. Within the KBA content library 1508, each tip 1512 may beassigned, via tip associations 1510, to a tip category 1514 such that atip cannot belong to more than one category. Based on the user'scurrently selected range 1506 in the workpaper 1504 that is being editedin the document editing software 1502, the tips pane 1516 updatesdynamically to show the tips that are relevant to that selection.Categories containing no tips for the currently selected range in theworkpaper are not displayed. The tips pane 1516 may be hosted within ageneric, dockable container pane provided by word processing orspreadsheet software, including, for example, Microsoft® Word or Excel®.In certain embodiments, the tips pane may remember user settings uponreopening, and be displayed or turned off accordingly.

FIGS. 15 b and 15 c illustrate some exemplary scenarios for associationsbetween the current selection and the tips which are displayed. In thefirst scenario, the user clicks on a row in a table; two tips aredisplayed from the tip category for practice points, and one tip isdisplayed from the tip category for related workpapers. In the secondscenario, the user clicks on a table; one tip is displayed from the tipcategory for practice points, and three tips are displayed from the tipcategory for optional workpapers. In the third scenario, the user clickson an area of the document associated with no tips; no tips aredisplayed.

The Knowledge Coach system may also provide links to research materiallocated on the Internet. For instance, FIG. 15 d shows that theKnowledge Coach system may provide HTML links to resource content on anAccountants Research Manager (ARM) in workpapers. Users may click on thelinks and the Knowledge Coach system will automatically use their logincredentials to sign into ARM and launch the specified Web pages. In thissituation, the administrator or user may record the user name andpassword for the various research Web sites in the user's profile. Whenthe user launches one of the research Web sites, the system mayautomatically log the user into the applicable site when log-in detailshave been provided, and the user can then navigate through the content.

With regard to the runtime data architecture, the basic principles ofthe Knowledge Coach run-time data architecture may include (i) looselycoupled subsystems, (ii) data reference object model (“DROM”), (iii)data storage object model (“DSOM”), (iv) reference-to-storage mapping,(v) Knowledge Coach user datastore, (vi) Knowledge Coach contentlibrary, and (vii) data identifiers. Loosely coupled subsystems mayencompass, for example, (a) Data such as user data (e.g., binders,workpapers, answers, signoffs, etc.) and content data (e.g., titles,workpaper definitions, program steps, questions, rules, etc.); (b)Metadata that may be used to describe structures, relationships,constraints and behaviors through configurable text and can consist ofobject models, mappings, synchronization models, etc.; and (c) Code thatmay be combined with metadata and data to yield data modifications, dataconsumers, workpapers, tables, rules, diagnostics, content updates,workpaper management, etc. Data reference object model may be used toprovide data consumers with access to data as described by metadataand/or implemented in metadata-driven code. DROM is typicallynon-hierarchical (e.g., there are multiple paths to entities) and may beaccessed through a data reference language with binding and expressions.Data storage object model controls data storage as described by metadataand/or implemented in metadata-driven code. Unlike DROM, DSOM istypically hierarchical (e.g., a tree with single paths to entities).Reference-to-Storage Mapping may be used to connect DROM and DSOM asdescribed by metadata and/or implemented in metadata-driven code and isusually direct mapping but occasionally indirect through customfunctions. Knowledge Coach user datastore may utilize generic storage,dynamically integrated with dynamically determined entities and instancecounts. The design should accommodate any storage model which meets thesystem constraints, including storage models which have not yet beenpublished. Knowledge Coach content library requires creating versionswith associated updates, conversions, and constraints. Data identifiersin content data must be consistent enough for “plug-and-play” ofcorresponding content across titles and title versions. An exemplaryillustration of the system run-time architecture is detailed in FIG. 14.

Under a preferred embodiment, the content that is delivered viaKnowledge Coach is continually subject to updates. Under an preferredembodiment, the updates may be provided approximately one per year. Thestructure of the data and presentation layers allows for the data to beupdated and for the user to see the changes from year to year. Anexemplary manner in which the updating occurs is detailed in FIG. 16.The Knowledge Coach system may provide the user with a number of optionswhen viewing versions. The options include, for example, the ability tochoose a version of the template the user wishes to review; display asummary list of template updates alongside the workpaper; allow the userto view template updates to any workpaper in any title from the binderframe; and allow the user to continue to edit the workpaper whileviewing the updates. For instance, when a user first opens the dialogand has not yet selected a template version to review, a title summarymay be displayed with available template versions by title. Once theuser has selected a title version, the workpaper templates may beorganized by template type. When a workpaper template is selected, theupdated information may be displayed. When viewing a workpaper, a usermay select the option to view updates from the menu, and a list ofavailable template versions may be displayed in the task pane alongsidethe workpaper. Once a template version is selected, the summary(description) of changes is displayed in the task pane. The user maycontinue to edit the workpaper while viewing the changes.

An exemplary manner in which the knowledge base of significant contentupdates occurs is further illustrated in FIG. 17. When template updatesoccur, users often require the ability to review changes to thetemplates so that they can assess any additional work that will need tobe completed.

Thus, what have been described are presently preferred embodiments of aninvention for providing easy and effective risk-based auditing. Whilethe description so far has centered on risk-based auditing, it is clearto those of skill in the art that the Knowledge Coach system can equallybe applied to other information management systems to provide a system.For example, the rule based methods used to implement the KnowledgeCoach system may be readily used to create a system for automaticallygenerating other documents, including, for example, legal documents,medical documents, and business documents.

The above-cited patents and patent publications are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety herein. Although various embodiments ofthe present invention have been described with reference to a particulararrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended toexhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many otherembodiments, modifications and variations will be ascertainable to thoseof skill in the art, and indeed many other embodiments, modificationsand variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art. Thus,it is to be understood that the invention may therefore be practicedotherwise than as specifically described above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for distributingcontent pursuant to an audit-based process, comprising: (i) decomposingindustry-specific sample collections of audit-related workpaperdocuments, authored by experts in the field of audit-based processes andannotated with directives regarding decomposition of audit-relatedworkpaper documents into a plurality of individual content elements forinclusion in an industry-specific content title within a content librarydatabase, wherein said plurality of individual content elements includeknowledge content elements, presentation content elements, and rulecontent elements, wherein the knowledge content elements definetext-based intellectual property suitable for rule-driven inclusionwithin dynamically generated audit workpapers and associated contextualtips and guidance, wherein the presentation content elements defineworkpaper skeleton documents and associated visual elements suitable forrule-driven, runtime binding to knowledge content elements anduser-supplied data within dynamically generated audit workpapers, andwherein the rule content elements define custom logic determiningdynamic association of knowledge content elements, presentation contentelements, and user-supplied data; (ii) distributing related collectionsof said content elements from content publishers to end user's contentlibrary database via industry-specific content packages, wherein saidcontent elements are merged via the industry-specific content packagesinto said end user's content library database as industry-specificcontent titles; and (iii) using a computer to dynamically generatecollections of dynamic workpapers from the user-supplied data and theindividual content elements in the content library database, inaccordance with at least one predetermined rule, wherein the dynamicallygenerated workpapers are also dynamically updated in response to (i)changes to user-supplied data or (ii) receipt of subsequently publishedversions of the associated content elements.
 2. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein the generated dynamic workpapers comprises:(i) text; (ii) a chart; (iii) a table; (iv) a graphic image; or (v)combinations thereof.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the generated dynamic workpapers are dynamically updated toreflect new or amended content elements subsequently merged into acontent library database.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising the step of posing questions to a user wherein theuser provides answers that are used by rule content elements to generatethe generated dynamic workpapers.
 5. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein edits made to user-supplied data within a generatedworkpapers are used to dynamically update other sections of thegenerated workpaper.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein a generated dynamic workpaper provides drilldown functionalityfor enabling a user to view the source workpaper containing thecorresponding user-supplied data value that has flowed into thegenerated dynamic workpaper.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim1, wherein a generated workpaper enables tip functionality to provide auser with additional contextual guidance based on the status anduser-supplied data associated with the generated workpaper.
 8. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the tip functionality istriggered by selecting an icon embedded within a generated workpaper toprovide contextual guidance information related to one or more topicschosen from a group consisting of: (i) practice points; (ii) relatedworkpapers; (iii) resources; (iv) examples; (v) user assistance; and(vi) combinations thereof.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim1, wherein the generated workpaper includes functionality enabling auser to access a web-based research system by selecting a hyperlinkoriginating from the content library database and embedded within eitherthe generated workpaper or the related tips.
 10. A computer system fordistributing content pursuant to an audit-based process, comprising: amemory; a communication device operatively coupled to the memory toreceive annotated documents containing industry-specific contentauthored by experts in the field of audit-based processes; and at leastone processor, operatively coupled to the communications device for (i)decomposing industry-specific sample collections of audit-relatedworkpaper documents, authored by experts in the field of audit-basedprocesses and annotated with directives regarding decomposition ofaudit-related workpaper documents into a plurality of individual contentelements for inclusion in an industry-specific content title within acontent library database, wherein said plurality of individual contentelements include knowledge content elements, presentation contentelements, and rule content elements, wherein the knowledge contentelements define text-based intellectual property suitable forrule-driven inclusion within dynamically generated audit workpapers andassociated contextual tips and guidance, wherein the presentationcontent elements define workpaper skeleton documents and associatedvisual elements suitable for rule-driven, runtime binding to knowledgecontent elements and user-supplied data within dynamically generatedaudit workpapers, and wherein the rule content elements define customlogic determining dynamic association of knowledge content elements,presentation content elements, and user-supplied data; (ii) distributingrelated collections of said content elements from content publishers toend user's content library database via industry-specific contentpackages, wherein said content elements are merged via theindustry-specific content packages into said end user's content librarydatabase as industry-specific content titles; and (iii) dynamicallygenerate collections of dynamic workpapers from the user-supplied dataand the individual content elements in the content library database, inaccordance with at least one predetermined rule, wherein the dynamicallygenerated workpapers are also dynamically updated in response to (i)changes to user-supplied data or (ii) receipt of subsequently publishedversions of the associated content elements.
 11. The computer system ofclaim 10, wherein the at least one processor is configured todynamically update the generated dynamic workpapers to reflect new oramended content elements subsequently merged into a content librarydatabase.
 12. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the generateddynamic workpapers comprises: (i) text; (ii) a chart; (iii) a table;(iv) a graphic image; or (v) combinations thereof.
 13. The computersystem of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is configured toprovide drilldown functionality for enabling a user to view the sourceworkpaper containing the corresponding user-supplied data value that hasflowed into the generated dynamic workpaper.
 14. The computer system ofclaim 10, wherein the at least one processor is configured to enable tipfunctionality to provide a user with additional contextual guidancebased on the status and user-supplied data associated with the generatedworkpaper.
 15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the tipfunctionality is triggered by selecting an icon embedded within thegenerated workpaper to provide contextual guidance information relatedto one or more topics chosen from a group consisting of: (i) practicepoints; (ii) related workpapers; (iii) resources; (iv) examples; (v)user assistance; and (vi) combinations thereof.
 16. The computer systemof claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is configured to posequestions to a user wherein the user provides answers that are used byrule content elements to generate the generated dynamic workpapers. 17.The computer system of claim 10, wherein edits made to user-supplieddata within a generated workpaper are used to dynamically update othersections of the generated workpaper.
 18. The computer system of claim10, wherein the generated workpaper includes functionality enabling auser to access a web-based research system by selecting a hyperlinkoriginating from the content library database and embedded within eitherthe generated workpaper or the related tips.
 19. A computer network fordistributing content pursuant to an audit-based process, comprising: amemory; a communication device operatively coupled to the memory toreceive annotated documents containing industry-specific contentauthored by experts in the field of audit-based processes; and at leastone processor, operatively coupled to the communications device for (i)decomposing industry-specific sample collections of audit-relatedworkpaper documents, authored by experts in the field of audit-basedprocesses and annotated with directives regarding decomposition ofaudit-related workpaper documents into a plurality of individual contentelements for inclusion in an industry-specific content title within acontent library database, wherein said plurality of individual contentelements include knowledge content elements, presentation contentelements, and rule content elements, wherein the knowledge contentelements define text-based intellectual property suitable forrule-driven inclusion within dynamically generated audit workpapers andassociated contextual tips and guidance, wherein the presentationcontent elements define workpaper skeleton documents and associatedvisual elements suitable for rule-driven, runtime binding to knowledgecontent elements and user-supplied data within dynamically generatedaudit workpapers, and wherein the rule content elements define customlogic determining dynamic association of knowledge content elements,presentation content elements, and user-supplied data; (ii) distributingrelated collections of said content elements from content publishers toend user's content library database via industry-specific contentpackages, wherein said content elements are merged via theindustry-specific content packages into said end user's content librarydatabase as industry-specific content titles; and (iii) dynamicallygenerate collections of dynamic workpapers from the user-supplied dataand the individual content elements in the content library database, inaccordance with at least one predetermined rule, wherein the dynamicallygenerated workpapers are also dynamically updated in response to (i)changes to user-supplied data or (ii) receipt of subsequently publishedversions of the associated content elements.
 20. The computer network ofclaim 19, wherein the at least one processor is configured todynamically update the generated dynamic workpapers to reflect new oramended content elements subsequently merged into a content librarydatabase.
 21. The computer network of claim 19, wherein the generateddynamic workpapers comprises: (i) text; (ii) a chart; (iii) a table;(iv) a graphic image; or (v) combinations thereof.
 22. The computernetwork of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is configured toprovide drilldown functionality for enabling a user to view the sourceworkpaper containing the corresponding user-supplied data value that hasflowed into the generated dynamic workpaper.
 23. The computer network ofclaim 19, wherein the at least one processor is configured to enable tipfunctionality to provide a user with additional contextual guidancebased on the status and user-supplied data associated with the generatedworkpaper.
 24. The computer network of claim 23, wherein the tipfunctionality is triggered by selecting an icon embedded within thegenerated workpaper to provide contextual guidance information relatedto one or more topics chosen from a group consisting of: (i) practicepoints; (ii) related workpapers; (iii) resources; (iv) examples; (v)user assistance; and (vi) combinations thereof.
 25. The computer networkof claim 23, wherein edits made to user-supplied data within a generatedworkpaper are used to dynamically update other sections of thatgenerated workpaper or other generated workpapers.